05/13/2025 CC Minutes

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE TOWN FOREST WORK SESSION 5/13/25 WITH CORRECTIONS

 

Bethlehem Conservation Commission

Tellman-Johnson Town Forest Work Session Minutes

May 13, 2025

Bethlehem Public Library

 

Attendees: Cheryl Jensen, Joanne Jones, Rachelle Lyons, Margaret Gale, Veronica

Morris, Wendy Aldrich Jordan and Colin Lunetta.

Alternate: Chris Jensen

 

The meeting began at 5:05 p.m.

 

There was a discussion about whether the Bethlehem Village District owns a

parcel of the town forest near Prospect Street. To try and resolve the issue, Ms.

Morris said she would review property records.

 

Ms. Jones reviewed the tour of the property conducted with Jim Frohn, the

Grafton County Extension Forester. Members reviewed his report from that visit.

 

Ms. Jones detailed observations including topography, features, age of the forest,

species diversity and invasive species.

 

There were discussions about timber cuts, invasive species such as Japanese

Knotweed, patch cuts and not cutting anything.

 

Ms. Jones summarized some of the responses to a committee survey asking how members felt about some of the 2009 goals (in bold).

 

• Allow the forest to continue to age and become an old-growth forest.

“Everybody agreed upon that…nobody voted for harvesting,” she said.

• Maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat. Everyone agreed on that.
• Wetland quality. Everyone agreed on that.
• Developing a trail system. Varying opinions.

 

Following the discussion about the 2009 goals and survey responses, Ms. Jones said she would come up with a list of revised 2025 objectives.

 

There were discussions about interpretive trails, a trail for those with disabilities, AND a memorial bench for Tanya Tellman and Marilyn Johnson.

No decisions were made.

 

Ms. Jensen made a motion to adjourn, which was unanimously adopted. The meeting ended at 6:37 p.m.